Cambridge scientists have discovered that a ‘sponge on a string’ pill test can identify which people with Barrett’s oesophagus have a low risk of developing oesophageal cancer - and it could replace uncomfortable endoscopies.

Researchers from Cambridge University gave 468 people who had Barrett’s oesophagus - a condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer in a small number of people - a ‘sponge on a string’ (cytosponge) test.

The cytosponge is a small pill with a string attached that the patient swallows, which expands into a small sponge when it reaches the stomach.

This is slowly pulled back up the throat using the string, collecting cells from the oesophagus for analysis.

The study, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, found the cytosponge test along with additional laboratory tests identified 35 per cent (162) of people with Barrett’s in the study were at a low risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

The results show patients with Barrett’s could be given a cytosponge test by their local GP and monitored, to detect which patients were at low risk of developing cancer, rather than having regular endoscopies at hospital.

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This could help save patients’ time, as well as reducing the anxiety and discomfort of having endoscopy tests which are expensive and involve putting a camera down the throat to collect a sample of the cells lining the oesophagus for analysis under a microscope.

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Lead researcher Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, based at the MRC Cancer Unit at Cambridge University , said: “Most people who have Barrett’s oesophagus will not go on to develop oesophageal cancer, but at the moment there is no way of identifying who will and who won’t.

“Our study is the first step in using the cytosponge to answer this question.

“We’re assessing the cytosponge test in larger trials next year to understand more about how it can help diagnose oesophageal cancer sooner.

“Compared with endoscopies performed in hospital, the cytosponge causes minimal discomfort and is a quick, simple test that can be done by your GP.”

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The researchers tested these cells for two specific genetic markers and changes in the cells that can be used to estimate an individual’s risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

These results, alongside other information including age and obesity, were used in a mathematical model to classify patients’ risk levels.

Jessica Kirby, Cancer Research UK’s senior health information manager, added: “It would be good news for patients if the cytosponge test could be used to replace uncomfortable endoscopies for some people.

“Twelve per cent of people with oesophageal cancer survive for at least 10 years, and part of the reason for the lower survival could be that the disease is often diagnosed at a late stage.

“Research like this helps us to understand more about the disease and could help doctors better predict who is at risk of oesophageal cancer.”